srbonner Report post Posted March 17, 2012 I took all the advice i gotnfrom yall on finishing leather. Im trying different finishes on some scrap pieces so I can get it down before I finish my project. When Im using olive oil I cant seem to get much color, even after three coats. What do I need to do different. Does it matter that Im using extra virgin olive oil? Thats what my wife had in the cabinet!!!!!!! Thanks again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted March 17, 2012 What exactly are you trying for!? I use a lot of leather that is fairly white when I start and never gets color even when I am casing. I have a bottle of neats and chocolate feibing's dye mixture at my table. I can get a great "expensive" leather color and my coat of oil in one shot. pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chavez Report post Posted March 17, 2012 I believe that oil just darkens the colour of your leather. If you want the leather piece to tan, you need to leave it out in the sun for a few days. I always oil with evoo and it seems to have a significant effect on light shades of saddle tan and light brown dyes, but does not really affect dark dyes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gringobill Report post Posted March 18, 2012 I think the consensus is that olive oil leaves leather a lighter color that neatsfoot and compound neatsfoot turns leather darker than pure neatsfoot. My experience is that the brand of leather makes a difference in how it reacts to oiling. I believe the chemicals used in the tanning process determine how the finished hides react to oil. I now use Herrman Oak exclusively but I've had some Tandy sides and any kind of oil turns the HO darker than the Tandy veg tan, I haven't used Wickett and Craig so I can speak to that. HO turns a really nice reddish brown shade if I oil it very much with neatsfoot. I have heard that extra light evoo colors veg tan less than regular evoo, I haven't tried any of that. Also the more you oil it the darker it gets. If you are wanting the oil to darken it, set in the sun after you oil it. I saw and holster that Chuck Smith had made and oiled in the sun and it was a very dark chocolate brown. I understand he left the holster in the sun all day and may have oiled it a couple of times during that time. I don't know what kind of veg tan he used to make it. Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St8LineGunsmith Report post Posted October 10, 2012 use olive oil if you want a light smelly finish olive oil gets kind of rancid after time neatsfoot oil makes a bit darker tint, Never heard of leaving leather out in the sun to get a darker tint but if you leave it out in the sun too long will it turn red and peel a few days later? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevvy64 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 I use only EVOO, I have never had any smell other then that of the leather, nor have I ever had anything go rancid with it. Perhaps if you totally oversoak it with oil it may be an issue, but then wouldn't that apply to any of the oils if overused on a piece? I use a light coat, perhaps 2 if the leather needs it, but they are very light coats. I apply from grain side only as it is much easier to control how much you actually put on there As for leaving in the sun, far as I know it's how the natural colour is darkened in those places that actually get sun; can't opinionate as sun is a rare commodity here haha. I never heard of it making leather peel o.O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevvy64 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Just realised this question was asked 6 months ago, didn't realise St8Line had reopened it. I assume his problem has been sorted by now lol, sorry guys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horrrk Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Just realised this question was asked 6 months ago, didn't realise St8Line had reopened it. I assume his problem has been sorted by now lol, sorry guys I wouldn't worry about it Chevvy The info could always help someone with more sunshine than they know what to do with..lol I'm thinking of either getting a sunbed or a SAD light to try the leather tanning option, now winter is almost upon us.. Never heard of leaving leather out in the sun to get a darker tint but if you leave it out in the sun too long will it turn red and peel a few days later? St8Line, it's okay..I've heard that coating the leather with an Aftersun type product, lessens the redness and the peeling.. lmao! Regards Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevvy64 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Beat you to it Horrrk lol, bought a sun bed couple months ago, ahh British summers - gotta love em Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horrrk Report post Posted October 11, 2012 lol.. I'm not buying one, but let me know if you try it out..haha! I could always go to a salon and rent a sunbed for an hour or two, just for the leather.. I tried to tan a small offcut test piece the other week, but the sun is so low in the sky already and of course intermittent, that it hardly did anything..I blame the economy.. lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevvy64 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Well TBH I bought the bed for me hahah, but I may at some point try it out on the leather, now that would be interesting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
